Château de Myrat

Château de Myrat traces its origins to the du Mirat family in the 17th century, with the current château structure dating to around 1730. The de Pontac family, a name with deep roots in Bordeaux wine history, acquired the property in 1937 under Max de Pontac. The estate held its Second Growth classification from 1855, but the 1960s and 1970s brought brutal market conditions for sweet wines. Facing sustained losses, the family took the dramatic step of pulling out all the vines in 1976, leaving the estate without a single plant for over a decade.

• Founded in the 17th century by the du Mirat family
• Château rebuilt circa 1730; 1855 classification maintained as Deuxième Cru Classé
• Acquired by Max de Pontac in 1937
• Vines completely removed in 1976 following two difficult decades for Sauternes

In 1988, brothers Jacques and Xavier de Pontac made the commitment to restore Château de Myrat to production. They planted 150,000 vines across the full 22 hectares, a major investment in an appellation still rebuilding its global reputation. The wait for young vines to mature pushed the first harvestable vintage to 1991, meaning the estate endured a 15-year gap between its last pre-uprooting production and its return to market. This story of deliberate revival is one of the more remarkable narratives in the modern history of Sauternes.

• Replanted in 1988 with 150,000 vines across 22 hectares
• Brothers Jacques and Xavier de Pontac led the restoration
• First post-replanting vintage: 1991
• Total production hiatus lasted approximately 15 years

The estate sits on the Haut-Barsac plateau, a slightly elevated position within Barsac that gives the vines excellent drainage and consistent sun exposure. Soils are argilo-calcaire, a mix of clay and limestone over a fractured limestone base, which moderates water availability and contributes to the structured, mineral character typical of top Barsac. The proximity of the Ciron river creates the cool autumn mists that encourage noble rot, the Botrytis cinerea essential for producing Sauternes-style liquoreux wines. The oceanic climate of Bordeaux provides the warm, humid conditions botrytis requires to develop properly.

Château de Myrat follows the classic Sauternes encépagement, with Sémillon dominant at 88%. Sémillon's thin skin makes it highly susceptible to botrytis, and its naturally low acidity takes on concentration and complexity through the noble rot process. Sauvignon Blanc at 8% provides aromatic lift and freshness, while Muscadelle at 4% adds floral notes to the blend. The resulting wine is a full liquoreux in the Sauternes tradition, with the richness and ageing potential expected of a classified Barsac estate.